Changes of small strain shear modulus and microstructure for a lime-treated silt subjected to wetting-drying cycles

Lime treatment can enhance the workability and hydro-mechanical properties of soil through different physical-chemical reactions. Nevertheless, beneficiary effect lime be altered when was exposed to wetting-drying cycles, depending on wetting fluid state. In present study, changes in small strain shear modulus (Gmax) microstructure a compacted lime-treated silt under cycles were studied. The untreated state also considered for comparison. Meanwhile, effects (deionized water synthetic seawater) maximum aggregate size (Dmax = 0.4 mm S0.4 5 S5) investigated. Results showed that Gmax increased significantly over curing, slightly soil. specimens softened damaged by while exhibited good resistance with pore distributions almost kept reversible along paths. subsequent more intensive drying resulted significant fabric alteration occurrence shrinkage-related fissures clay part. However, these healed rewetting. Thereby, constant decreasing trend an increasing drying. Moreover, decreased wetted deionized water, suggesting indeed seawater, due production cementitious compounds promoted salts. seawater had higher than those insignificant S5 limited promotion pozzolanic reaction negligible aggregation induced